WHAT HAPPENED: In 2014 and 2015, President Obama passed two “executive orders” which pertained to immigration, the DACA and the DAPA. In the interests of brevity, those two orders granted deferred action to two general classes of illegal immigrants, (1) people who arrived in the U.S. under the age of 16 and were now over 30, and (2) parents of natural born citizens who never obtained their own citizenship. These orders instructed the government against deporting those citizens, and instead allowing them to stay in the U.S., even though they would not be granted citizenship rights.

WHY IS THIS BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT: Immigration issues are primarily Congress’ jurisdiction, as the Legislature has primary authority to create policy and regulations regarding the status of illegal immigrants. Therefore, opponents of these actions claim the President has exceeded his authority to act. On the other hand, the agency that performs these actions is under the President’s control and the President is allows to make edicts for those agencies to follow. Therefore, the issue, in part, comes down to whether or not the President’s executive orders are so sweeping that they require greater action, of if the executive orders are within his ability to control lower agencies.

WHAT IS THE RULING: This case is not yet decided.

WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS DECISION: This case could determine the occupancy status of hundreds of thousands of people who are currently living in America, but do not have citizenship. These people likely have no where else to go if they are removed from the country, or could be separated from their children if deported. If the orders are upheld, this could allow the government to have a better handle on undocumented aliens, as people would be more likely to come participate in registration if they were not concerned about deportation. On the other hand, these orders only stabilize the situation and do not provide a real solution to the concern citizenship and illegal immigrants.

ROOT FOR U.S.: If you are OK with expanding Presidential Power to resolve a situation temporarily, and probably until a Republican is voted into office. You are also probably an advocate for the legalization of marijuana.

ROOT FOR TEXAS: If you hate President Obama, Obamacare, and any other Obama-related terms. You are also probably someone who likes it when people follow the Constitution, at least when it comes to this situation.